Ravens were well-positioned to beat 49ers

How do you beat the 49ers? Don’t turn the ball over, which, in turn will help you win the field-position battle.

Last week, the Ravens won the turnover battle (1-0), won the field-position battle (average drive start at own 30 to 49ers’ own 23) and won the game (16-6).

In his opening post-game statement, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh highlighted what he viewed as the key to victory. For just the second time in 11 games, the Niners didn’t start at least one drive in their opponent’s territory.

Prior to Thanksgiving, the 49ers had fewer turnovers than their opponent in nine of 10 games and had better field position in eight games.

“When you play the field-position game and never give them an opportunity to play on a short field,” Harbaugh said, “if you do that and don’t make a mistake, you have a chance to beat the 49ers.”

The numbers back up Harbaugh’s belief.

San Francisco has scored one touchdown (and kicked 13 field goals) on the past 41 drives that have started in their own territory. During that 18-quarter span, the 49ers have scored four touchdowns on the 10 drives they’ve started at midfield or in opponent’s territory.

The hard-to-execute blueprint is clear: Keep the Niners on their side of the field and watch them fail to sustain drives or settle for field goals. San Francisco is ranked 30th in the NFL third-down conversions (30.6) and 26th in red zone touchdown percentage (42.1).

Of course, the Niners are kind of good at this getting-turnovers-and-creating-good-field-position stuff. They rank first in the NFL in turnover differential (+16) and in drives started in opponent’s territory (25).

In other words, it’s not so easy to beat them at their own game.

* Here’s a look at how the 49ers’ past 41 drives that have started in their own territory have ended: